Synthesis of ZrO2-HfO2-Y2O3-Sc2O3 Nano-Particles by Sol-Gel Technique in Aqueous Solution of Alcohol

Agglomeration-free nanosized ZrO2-HfO2-Y2O3-Sc2O3 composite powders were successfully synthesized by Sol-Gel technique in heated aqueous solution of alcohol, using analytically pure ZrOCl2 · 8H2O, HfOCl2 · 8H2O, Y(NO3)3 · 6H2O, and Sc2O3 as raw materials. The effect of synthesis condition on the size and dispersity of the composite powders was investigated by means of XRD, TEM, and TG-DSC techniques. The results showed that well-dispersed predecessor of ZrO2-HfO2-Y2O3-Sc2O3 composite nanopowders could be obtained. The optional condition: PEG6000 as dispersant was 1 %, alcohol/H2O ratio was 5/1, metallic ion concentration in whole solution was 0.5 mol · L−1 and the pH value of the solution was 12. After calcined at 620 °C, the powder obtained was in uniform cubic structure, and its average particle size was about 13 nm, which was good for producing nanocrystalline solid electrolyte.